There's no experience quite like gliding through the open water alongside whales. While diving with these colossal creatures is generally not allowed - the bubbles produced can be interpreted as a sign of aggression or danger - snorkelling with whales is, and can be just as exhilarating. Ready to dive in? There are some crucial things to get to grips with first. Read on for our all-important code of conduct, followed by the best places to snorkel with whales (as well as the world's whale-watching hotspots)…
Code of conduct
Let the whales lead
Snorkelling with whales is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it's important to know what to expect before you take the plunge. First, let the gentle giants interact with you on their terms (the ocean is their world, after all). Respect the whales' underwater realm and always enter the water at least 150m away from them.
Mothers can be very protective of their calves (who can blame them?), so it's essential to always stay 20 to 30m away when little ones are in tow. Only duck-dive underwater if the whale appears at ease and you have the go-ahead from your guide.
In short, always listen to your guide's expertise and respect local regulations - these are in place for a reason.
Never touch a whale
This might be stating the obvious, but you should never touch, ride or approach a whale (the same goes for any marine life). It's dangerous for both parties - not only does this interrupt the whale's natural behaviours, but it can lead to stress and unpredictability. Whales might also have sharp barnacles on their bodies that can cause nasty cuts if touched.
Steer clear of the tail
The incredible power of a whale's tail should never be underestimated. Just three pumps of a humpback's tail can generate enough force to propel its gigantic body out of the water. As one of the most powerful forces in the ocean, it's (clearly) not something you want to be on the receiving end of, so to avoid taking a whale by surprise, make sure you're always within its field of vision and stay swimming near the head.
Likewise, it's a good idea to keep splashing to a minimum (by keeping your fins underwater) so that you don't frighten whales, or attract sharks...
Where to snorkel with whales
Rurutu, French Polynesia
Now that we know how to interact with whales in the water, where are the best places to snorkel with them? First up is the island of Rurutu in French Polynesia. Thanks to the ancient conservation custom of rahui, marine species and their habitats are well preserved here, making this an excellent place for snorkelling with whales.
Located in the Austral archipelago and reached via a 90-minute flight from Tahiti's capital, remote Rurutu is known as 'whale island' and enjoys up to 50m of underwater visibility. With limited group sizes and interaction times, swimmers can slip into the South Pacific Ocean between August and November to encounter humpback whales on their migratory path from Antarctica. Regulations mean that boats must stay at least 100m away from the mammals, and once in the water, individuals must be 30m away.
Silver Bank, Dominican Republic
In the Dominican Republic, you can catch another group of North Atlantic humpback whales during their annual migration. Silver Bank, a submerged plateau in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of the Dominican Republic, was designated a whale sanctuary in 1986. Each winter, thousands of humpbacks migrate here to breed and give birth. This is one of the prime times for snorkelling with whales, as surface activity is frequent - think breaching, fin slapping and males competing for female attention. Strict guidelines limit visitor numbers to less than 60 per week to avoid overcrowding and keep disruption of whales' natural behaviours to a minimum.
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Best spots for whale watching
Azores Islands, Portugal
Prefer to admire whales from the shore? Portugal's Pico and Sao Miguel islands have got you covered. Head to the magical Azores between April and September to be in with the chance of spotting majestic blue whales as well as fin, sei and humpbacks.
Baja California, Mexico
This stunning Mexican peninsula is also renowned for its fantastic whale watching opportunities. In particular, the friendly grey whales of San Ignacio Lagoon offer a bucket-list experience - they're the only group of whales known to seek out human interaction. On the east coast, the Sea of Cortez - one of the most biodiverse seas in the world - invites visitors to spot blue whales, humpbacks, fin whales and orcas (to name but a few). Our expert advice? Travel to Baja California between January and April for peak whale watching.
Kaikoura, New Zealand
The coastal town of Kaikoura in New Zealand is another mecca for whale watching. Thanks to the deep underwater canyon just beyond its shores, the waters here are teeming with marine life; you can spot sperm whales all year round, and migratory species like humpbacks and southern right whales during the winter months.
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Between June and October, the UNESCO-listed Ningaloo Reef off the coast of Exmouth, Western Australia, is home to thousands of migratory humpback whales that use the waters as their resting area. Alongside these majestic mammals, the pristine waters host whale sharks between March and July. Lucky visitors might even catch a glimpse of both creatures…
